Officials investigate fire that started on store's shelf

Jacksonville Fire Department investigates the site of a fire at Jack's Famous Texas Boots on Western Boulevard in Jacksonville Thursday morning.

John Althouse / The Daily News

By AMANDA HICKEY Daily News Staff

Published: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM.

Damage to a Jacksonville store was described as minor following a fire there this week.

According to information from Jacksonville Department of Public Safety, which includes the fire and police departments, officials responded shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday to a structure fire at Jack’s Famous Boots at 213 Western Blvd.

Spokeswoman Beth Purcell said the store had minor damage after a fire began inside the building on an upper shelf of merchandise.

It was not immediately clear how the fire began.

“That’s why it’s under investigation,” Purcell said.

The business was evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Purcell said there was an estimated $28,000 in damage to contents and structure.

When store manager Aubrey Mercer arrived around 9:30 a.m., she said there were four or five fire trucks present.

“When I got here there was broken glass and smoke and melted boots,” she said.

Mercer said she could smell the smoke at her car across the parking lot.

“I’m pretty upset,” she said.

Mercer has worked at the store for three years. This month, she said, was set to be the store’s fourth anniversary.

“It’s heartbreaking to me. This store is like my baby,” she said.

The fire remains under investigation, according to Purcell.

Mercer said Thursday afternoon that store officials were not sure when it would open.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com.

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Damage to a Jacksonville store was described as minor following a fire there this week.

According to information from Jacksonville Department of Public Safety, which includes the fire and police departments, officials responded shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday to a structure fire at Jack’s Famous Boots at 213 Western Blvd.

Spokeswoman Beth Purcell said the store had minor damage after a fire began inside the building on an upper shelf of merchandise.

It was not immediately clear how the fire began.

“That’s why it’s under investigation,” Purcell said.

The business was evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Purcell said there was an estimated $28,000 in damage to contents and structure.

When store manager Aubrey Mercer arrived around 9:30 a.m., she said there were four or five fire trucks present.

“When I got here there was broken glass and smoke and melted boots,” she said.

Mercer said she could smell the smoke at her car across the parking lot.

“I’m pretty upset,” she said.

Mercer has worked at the store for three years. This month, she said, was set to be the store’s fourth anniversary.

“It’s heartbreaking to me. This store is like my baby,” she said.

The fire remains under investigation, according to Purcell.

Mercer said Thursday afternoon that store officials were not sure when it would open.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com.